Mystics 9-5 vs Aces 10-5
When: Saturday, July 13th, at 7 p.m.
Where: Entertainment and Sports Arena
TV: CBS Sports Network, Monumental Sports Network
Injury
Mystics: Kiara Leslie – (Out, Torn Meniscus in right knee), Elena Delle Donne (Questionable, Nasal Fracture)
Aces: None
Notes – Mystics forward Elena Delle Donne suffered a nasal fracture in a loss to the LA Sparks on July 7th. She’s listed as day to day.
Mystics -
85.1 - points per game
76.2 - points against
45.2 - Field goal %
Aces -
82.6 - points per game
76.4 - points against
43.5 - field goal %
Keep an eye on:
Defending the Aces Front Court: should be top priority for Washington. One, Las Vegas brings two of the more dominant bigs in the WNBA in A’ja Wilson and Liz Cambage. Wilson leads the Aces in scoring with 16.4 points, brings in 7.2 rebounds and also leads the team in blocks at 1.5 per game. Cambage is right there with Wilson, averaging 15.6 points, a team leading 7.5 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per contest. Add in the deadly efficient Kayla Mcbride (15.3 points/ 48% FG/ 48% 3FG/ 91% FT) and you have one of the elite front courts the WNBA has to offer.
Second, Washington has been dominated inside during their two game slide. In a loss to the Sparks, Nneka Ogwumike put 31 points (11-15 FG) and 10 rebounds on Washington. During Wednesday’s humiliating 23 point blowout at the hands of the Mercury, Brittney Griner (25 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assist) and DeWanna Bonner (22 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assist) had their way inside all game long. Yes, the Mystics didn’t have Elena Delle Donne, however, the lack of fight outside two or three players is concerning. The Aces come in red hot looking for their fifth consecutive victory. Washington is looking to avoid their third straight loss which will be a season high, dropping them to 0-3 when Delle Donne doesn’t play. Skill won’t be enough to win this game, the will must be just as on point as their all-around skill, if not more.
